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January 2011

January 27, 2011

The Audi installation reflects Audi’s guiding principles and mission statement “Vorsprung durch Technik”, (advancement through technology) developed in 1971, as an advertising slogan. The ability to innovate has created a foundation for memorable campaigns.

Taking the brand to new heights, the new audi campaign features the iconic brand rings. It is a display of four life-size Audi cars, suspended inside the silver rings attached to memorable bridge structures and in front of landmark spaces — the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge and Tower Bridge. The rings rotate around, light-up at night, move up and down the bridges, against the backdrop of spectacular urban architecture. The power of audi to engineer and manage the logistics of such a visual stunt is amazing, can’t wait to see it.

January 25, 2011

I do love beautiful things. I’m a bit of a sucker for elegant, well-made, nicely designed and packaged products which is probably why I work in the creative industry. However, working on the client side as an account handler, the logic left side of my brain often over powers the creative right side, so when I came across this book that mixes both information with design, it was right up my street.

Information is Beautiful is a book by David McCandless which provides facts and statistics displayed in striking graphical ways ­– a perfect combination for me. I pour over each page with interest, looking at how he has visualised the information as well as being hooked about the subject matter itself.

Whether you’re into coffee, culture, politics or people there’s something in there to keep everyone interested. In my work, I’m always looking for ways to make standard written documents more visually exciting and this book is full of great ideas.

So if you’ve not come across it already, or maybe you have but haven’t got round to looking at it, I can highly recommend it. It’s definitely worth a read and makes an excellent coffee table book. If you want any further information check out David’s website at www.davidmccandless.com or his blog at www.informationisbeautiful.net

They kicked off 2011 with the grand unveiling of their 'new' logo, from which they've removed both the word 'Starbucks' and the word 'Coffee'.... Whatever, Starbucks. I see what you're going for but I preferred the old one.

Now they've unleashed upon the world their all new coffee size, measuring a whopping PINT AND A HALF. Naturally, they've started with the biggest (!) fans of supersize, the Americans - but where they lead, surely we will follow (Iraq anyone?)...

I was clearing out my 'office' at home over the weekend. This makes it sound really grand, as its the place where I store all my old stuff, samples, vinyl and generally sneak off to on the pretext of pretending to do some work. Anyway, I found one of my old projects yesterday, which I worked on in Edinburgh and which still really makes me smile, because the idea is as strong as it was the day we did it.

Unfortunately at the time, whilst the Edinburgh International Film Festival absolutely loved the idea, one of their directors worried that it might position them as a small parochial event rather than the global player they hankered to be. That really grated on me, as the competition in film festivals was already intense and an opportunity to build the brand with a distinct personality was a great idea. Maybe I was naive, but when you are batting against Cannes, Venice and Sundance, you have to have something very memorable in your kitbag.

The idea was pretty simple, as all the best ones are. Take a famous film quotation and add in some local venacular. Great for posters and campaigns, and dead easy to implement. Here is an example:

As creatives, ideas are our currency and to see such a great one hit the cutting room floor is as sad today it was back then. At least the disappointment was softened by the posters winning one of the inaugral Chip Shop Awards, for work that clients choose not to go with. And this reminded me of another great idea that year, that also won a giant yellow chip. It was for a campaign to push sales of the Star Wars Trilogy in supermarkets when it was released for the first time on DVD. Also very much ahead of its time, as far as I am concerned:

For those fancying treating themselves (or someone they really like) to something nice now that Christmas is a long and distant memory, Present & Correct is the one-stop-shop for all things paper-based.

They have some really lovely items, from old school classroom clocks to super cute French Airmail stationery sets, and a lovely ethos to match. Read about it in their 'About Us' section.

January 21, 2011

I recently came across an interesting photography project called "Captured" on design blog The Strange Attractor.

The idea behind this project was to select a number of fantastic photographers from throughout the world and send them a camera and film (that's right, no digital to be seen here). What's particularly interesting about the project is that it appears to take the photographers out of their comfort zone. For example, I was drawn to this article as it featured Greg White, whom I am a big fan of. White's style is typically clean cut and futuristic, so it was interesting to see him stripped of this comfort and still produce some great shots:

"Having seen the results I’m pleasantly surprised and sense that this is what lomography is all about, the fun of inaccuracy, that feeling of not knowing, the anticipation, relief and surprise when the film returns from the lab as well as the added bonuses of happy mistakes!"

I think thats it's great to see these accomplished photographers getting inspired by trying something new and really stripping their style back to a basic level, and am now ever more desperate to buy one of the Diana F+ cameras that I have been after for sometime. For now the instagram iPhone app will have to suffice, but wheres the fun in that?

January 14, 2011

Once again I bring you yet another installment of video wierdness. This short film was directed by Saman Keshavarz and uses a peculiar mix of stop motion and live action to tell the story of a mostly inconceivable plot about a depressed box man. It's all good fun though, and I do enjoy the frantic scene cuts.

A really interesting application created by Yuri Vishnevsky, which allows you to generate beautiful trails of light with simple click and drag gestures. Check out the link and have a go, it's strangely compelling.

January 13, 2011

I'm old enough to have worked through a number of recessions, and have the grey hair to prove it. I have found that one of the things you need when faced with economic challenges and all the difficulties that come with it, is a fantastic and positive attitude to life. I firmly believe that hard work and honest effort can get you a long way to where you want to go. It might not take you all the way, but believe me, it really helps.

I know loads of people out there are out of work right now and they are undoubtedly finding it very hard. However, I am surprised by the lack of ingenuity and creative thinking that takes place when they are looking to improve their situation. It might just be me, but the lack of new ideas and thinking has been pretty stark.

How refreshing then to receive this email the other day. Titled "Fed up with unrealistic world-owes-me grads?" Its a superb example of creative thinking and writing, and a great way to stand out from the pack. I might not be able to help with a job, but am meeting Chloe next week for a cuppa to see how I can help. That's the least she deserves.

Please find attached my CV, enclosed in the hope that you might have a position of some (any!) kind within your company that would be suitable for me.

Although a graduate, I am not precious about the role that you may have available. I want to carve out a good career for myself in the creative arm of strong brand, but in order to get to that point, I fully realise that I will have to take what’s on offer. I am working on the basis that once I get a job within a fast moving and forward thinking company that I can prove to them what a great decision it was to employ me, and so move up the ranks on my abilities and merit and not on the back of a degree (or even an MA!).

So you won’t find me saying ‘that’s not my job,” or “I’m a graduate I can’t do that.” You won’t find me rolling into work late or only just on time so I’m not at my desk and ready to get on with things when the working day begins. I won’t be sniffy about staying on to complete work or helping others to complete theirs. I have a strong work ethic and I don’t mind getting stuck into whatever is required of me. I have enjoyed my time as a student but I am ready for the real world and I know that it’s nothing like the one I have been used to for the past few years. I don’t mind that. I want a decent career and I want to work for a company that appreciates and rewards hard working people.

So if you have a job available, please consider me for an interview. I will ensure you don’t regret it.

If you want to contact her, the email is chloe@designbychief.com. You won't regret it!